The Witness of Balance
Scripture Reading — 1 Corinthians 10:31-11:1
Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
—1 Corinthians 10:31
As a student I spent long afternoons researching and writing. But by 5:00 p.m. I would begin to pack up for the day. It was dinner time, family time, and marriage time.
But packing up wasn’t always easy. I enjoyed my work. Doing good work was and still is important to me. And there is always more to do.
One time a seminary professor wrote on my assignment, “I know you can do better than this.” That stung. But he was right. I could have done better. It bothered me that I hadn’t. But I chose another priority and ran out of time. Dinner and family were calling and, frankly, were more important.
We need balance in our lives, striving to do our best without overdoing it. Doing our best does not mean we have to get it perfect—as if we could anyway. Some wise people have said, “Better is the enemy of good.” Perfectionism in our work, for example, can lead to burnout and the breakdown of relationships. God calls us to be responsible in all areas of our lives, not just work, so that whatever we do, we “do it all for the glory of God.”
This is important for our witness as followers of Christ, who seek not our own good but the good of others. Deep down, we know we are not perfect, and that leads us to the cross, where Christ’s perfect work atones for all that is imperfect in our lives. So let’s do our best in God’s strength and to his glory!
Lord, give us the strength and wisdom to do our best for your sake and for the good of others. Amen.
About the author — Daryl DeKlerk
Daryl DeKlerk pastors a church in Jarvis, Ontario. He is thankful for a sabbatical that enabled him to study the theme of Grace-filled Christian Witness. Daryl and his wife have three young children who keep them on their toes and on their knees in prayer.
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